2 killed in Norwell motorcycle crash

A man and a woman died Thursday in a motorcycle crash near River and Green streets.

Neal Simpson The Patriot Ledger @nsimpson_ledger

NORWELL -- Two people were killed in a crash near River and Green streets early Thursday morning.

Police Chief Theodore Ross said a man and woman were riding together on a 2006 Honda motorcycle when it crashed into a utility pole on River Street at about 5:45 a.m., killing them. He said police are still trying to confirm their identities.

River Street was closed from Green Street to Tara Drive for several hours Thursday morning as officials from the Norwell Police Department, Norwell Fire Department and State Police investigated the crash. A tow truck that had been positioned behind a low rock wall along River Street pulled out a little after 9 a.m. carrying a motorcycle wrapped in plastic.

Part of the rock wall appeared to have been knocked down, which Chief Ross said was related to the crash. He gave no other details about the cause of the crash, but said investigators were considering speed, weather and other factors.

"At this time we’re still trying to piece together the circumstances of the crash," he said.

Lisa DiFrisco, a Norwell resident whose home overlooks the intersection of Green and River streets, said there was a "torrential downpour" 10 minutes before the crash was reported. She didn't see or hear the collision, but said she often sees cars and motorcycles speeding up and down River Street.

"This is a very dangerous corner," she said.

Ross said River Street is a popular cut through between Hanover and Scituate. He said it "would not be unusual&rdquo" to see speeding on such a highly traveled road.